Controversy Over Racism Causes Backlash Against US 'National Children's Book' in Bookstores

Dr. Seuss's book [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Dr. Seuss books, known as the "national children's books" in the United States, have repeatedly topped bestseller lists. Interest surged after sales were halted due to racist depictions.

According to US economic media CNBC on the 5th (local time), as of that morning, 15 out of the top 20 bestsellers on Amazon in the US were Dr. Seuss books. The representative work, The Cat in the Hat, ranked first. On Amazon Canada, The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham were also among the top 10 that day.

The works published under the pen name "Dr. Seuss" by the late famous American children's picture book author Theodore Seuss Geisel are sold in over 100 countries worldwide.

CNBC reported, "After six of Dr. Seuss's works were discontinued, Geisel's works consecutively became bestsellers."

Earlier, on March 2nd, six works by Dr. Seuss, including If I Ran the Zoo and The McElligot's Pool, were discontinued due to "depicting people in a wrong and hurtful manner."

March 2nd, the date the discontinuation was announced, is Dr. Seuss's birthday. It is also the day designated as "Read Across America Day" by the National Education Association to honor Geisel's achievements and popularity.

President Joe Biden attracted attention by making no mention of Dr. Seuss during a related declaration at the White House on March 1st, a day before Read Across America Day.

CNBC analyzed, "This contrasts with former Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama, who mentioned Dr. Seuss every year on Read Across America Day," adding, "President Biden has drawn a clear line early on."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.